Study: Lobbyists Exploit Loophole In Ethics Law On Fundraising

Study: Lobbyists Exploit Loophole In Ethics Law On Fundraising

Despite new ethics laws passed in the wake of the Jack Abramoff scandal, the Associated Press reports today that only about two dozen lawmakers have disclosed lobbyist campaign contributions.

Lawmakers have not publicly identified lobbyists who host fundraisers on at least 195 invitations reviewed by the AP and the Sunlight Foundation from March 19 to June.

The law, which is rife with loopholes, amounts to an honor system for lawmakers to disclose fundraising activities, the study found.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid commented on the Open Government Act after the Senate's vote in August 2007:

"In sending the most sweeping ethics and lobbying reform in history to the president, we are giving the American people a government as good and honest as the people it represents,"

-- Jenna Staul

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot